Practice what and how long

Hi,

I've just started with Guitar Tricks a couple of days ago and while I like the lessens I am confused about a couple of things and was wondering how I should structure my time and approach to these lessons.

1. The lessons are short compared to traditional in-person lessons which would last anywhere from one-half to a full hour. How many lessons are you supposed to digest in one sitting before you need to go off and practice what you learned. I know everybody is different but are there guidelines. Then how long should you practice before you start again with lesions.

2. What exactly should I be practicing and for how long each day?

All suggestions welcome!

For me, if a lession is basically informational, I'll digest it and move on to the next one. If there is something to actually do -- and they are pretty clear on that -- I'll practice that one lesson until I feel I'm able to do what's asked pretty well before moving on. If I'm fumbling all over the place on a lesson, I'll stick with that until I can do it right before movig on. That has really helped. I have trouble with playing with music for some reason -- it always throws me off -- so I have to work on those lessons over and over.

Hey & welcome to GT! If you aren't already, then I encourage you to start working through the Fundamentals course!

https://www.guitartricks.com/course.php?input=fundamentals1

Originally Posted by: efisher0

I've just started with Guitar Tricks a couple of days ago and while I like the lessens I am confused about a couple of things and was wondering how I should structure my time and approach to these lessons.

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The most important thing is to make time to practice consistently. Every individual has a different situation regarding available time. Some students find it helpful to make an explicit schedule & stick to it. Others find they can make the time to practice without having to plan it thoroughly.

Originally Posted by: efisher0

1. The lessons are short compared to traditional in-person lessons which would last anywhere from one-half to a full hour. How many lessons are you supposed to digest in one sitting before you need to go off and practice what you learned. I know everybody is different but are there guidelines. Then how long should you practice before you start again with lesions.

Great questions! The answer is practice each lesson until you completely understand the concept and, or can do the skill being taught.

The typical lesson length is crafted to be as precise & concise as possible. We aim to present just enough conceptual or technique content in any given lesson or tutorial to keep you focused on one particular concept or skill so you can moving forward & stay interested. We aim to avoid making lessons that are too heavy with info or meandering which might overwhelm or frustrate students.

With all that in mind, work through GF1&2 at a pace that is comfortable for you. Keep in mind that every lesson is designed to build on the next. Each concept or technique will be required to master the next. Remember that every lesson can be viewed & reviewed many times. So, move through them as you please, but you aren't done with any lesson until you completely understand the info & can competently do the skill.

It often helps to keep going forward to keep things interesting & fun. Just remember to make time to keep going back over any given lesson until you accomplish the above goal.

[quote=efisher0]

2. What exactly should I be practicing and for how long each day?

You should be practicing any & all the ideas & skills being presented in the lessons as you move through them. Once you get past Chapter 4 of GF1 you can try some of the songs in the GT catalog that contain the skill presented up to that point.

How long is very much an individual question. I suggest at least 30 minutes a day, an hour if you can manage it.

Lisa has a great tutorial that addresses thie topic.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1781

And I have a forum post that gives you a generalized schedule format.

https://www.guitartricks.com/forum/thread.php?f=36&t=51451

Hope that helps. Please ask more if necessary. Have fun!